real world tour
FAQ
Frequently
Asked Questions
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For competitors brand new to competing, please also view our "Starting out" page
This FAQ section is for ALL categories.
Please note, for reference in this FAQ section,
"physique competitor" refers to anyone competing in bodybuilding, figure, fitness model, muscle model
1. What are the entry fees for competitions?
3. What does the entry fee cover?
6. Can I enter more than one category?
7. What divisions do you offer?
8. How are your divisions divided? Weight Classes? Height?
9. I’ve never stepped onstage as a fitness competitor.
10. I’m coming from another organization. What division am I in?
11. How do I advance divisions?
14. What are your banned substances?
15. What happens if I test positive?
17. I have a tattoo. Will it effect my scoring?
19. Will there be a microwave and refrigerator in my hotel?
20. I registered online. Do I still need to attend registration in person?
22. Do I have to attend camp? Where? How much does it cost?
23. What do I need to bring with me for the weekend?
26. Do I need music?
27. Can I have someone in the dressing room with me to help?
28. Does my coach, helper, significant other need to purchase a ticket?
29. What else do you look for?
30. Do you allow your competitors to compete with other organizations? 31. I have a question that was not addressed on this list. Who do I contact?
WHAT ARE THE ENTRY FEES FOR COMPETITIONS?
Physique competitors and REAL Beauty: For early registration, the fee is $95 for your first or only category. If you register the day of the event, the fee is $120. If you choose to enter a second category, the fee is $55.
REAL Deal competitors: $60 for early registration (fee includes shirt or sports bra plus associated costs) and $75 for day of.
Transformation Challenge: there are no entry fees, but you must purchase a REAL World Tour Membership
EVERY competitor must have a REAL World Tour Membership. These can be purchased online or, when you register (in person). For
information on Memberships, click here
Occasionally, REAL offers special discounts on registration, typically for early registration. The REAL World Tour also partners with all hotels and other sponsors and vendors to provide our athletes with great discounts on products and services. Also, all REAL members receive discounts on spectator tickets to any event they are not competing in.
Costs associated with producing an event are extensive. REAL goes to great lengths to produce classy events and unforgettable experiences for our athletes and spectators. Entry fees go toward venue rental, AV & lighting, stage signage, promotional materials, trophies and prize money, judges' pay, merchandise, drug testing and more.
To see a list of categories, please click here
The best thing to do if you are unsure where you belong is to take a look at your physique right now. Based on how far out your show of choice is, determine whether you want to compete in a category that suits your physique now, or if you want to work up to another category. You also have the choice of competing in 2 categories if you are still unsure where you would do best (there is a 2 category limit)
CAN I ENTER MORE THAN ONE CATEGORY?
Yes. You may enter a maximum of 2 categories. The reason for entering 2 categories is mainly if you are unsure where you belong. The criteria is very different for each category so a competitor can only realistically do well in one category.
For a list of divisions, please click here
HOW ARE YOUR DIVISIONS DIVIDED?
Physique competitors and REAL Beauty: Depending on how many are in your division, we may split you by height. Division may occur by way of "short" (5'4" and under) and "tall" (over 5'4") or "short" (5'4" and under) , "medium" (5'4" - 5'6") and "tall" (over 5'6") These are the most common splits. Splits are determined by the REAL board at the event.
REAL Deal: everyone is in a single "open" division
Transformation Challenge: everyone is in a single "open" division
**Please note: REAL does NOT have weight classes for Bodybuilders. Competitors are divided by height**
I'VE NEVER STEPPED ONSTAGE AS A FITNESS COMPETITOR. WHAT CAN I EXPECT?
Competing is a rush!! At REAL we look for a few things. Of course your physique is important, but we are also looking to see if you are marketable, entertaining and interesting. We like to see our competitors showing off their personality and having fun! The first thing you need to realize is that there is a category for everyone. You don't need to be a bodybuilder, or super ripped or have been dieting and training forever. We have those competitors as well :), but new competitors can start at any category. We have criteria starting from lean and toned beach bodies (where too much muscle actually costs you points), to defined and toned model and physique categories, all the way up to bodybuilders. So don't get discouraged!! Wherever you start is a good start so that you find out where you are and where you want to be!
Join our online community The REAL Spot.org (www.theREALspot.org) and connect with other competitors to get their thoughts, advice and opinions. It is a great tool!! They can help you with everything from what to expect, choosing your suits and more. The best advice we can give is to prepare prepare prepare. Have all of your suits ready, travel plans made, registration done early and practice your walking, turning, posing in your suits and heels (women). You must look confident onstage and comfortable in order to have fun!
I'M COMING FROM ANOTHER ORGANIZATION. WHAT DIVISION AM I IN?
Please submit your competition experience, photos of you in competition and a brief bio to info@REALworldtour.com for division inquiries
There are no automatic advancements on the REAL World Tour. Your performance at each event will determine if you advance or not. Advancements are awarded by the REAL Board. Included in the post event recap will be a list of all athletes that have been awarded division advancement.
Being a REAL pro means you are the most seasoned, elite NATURAL athletes. You are also a role model within the community and are expected to represent yourselves and REAL as such. You must first advance through the divisions and then submit a package to the REAL World Tour board requesting Pro Status. If you are coming from another organization and wish to be considered a REAL pro, you must submit a package to operations@REALworldtour.com
Click here for a sample submission
YES!! We are a NATURAL organization and proud to be. We test at all of our shows. We do not tolerate drug use on any level.
WHAT ARE YOUR BANNED SUBSTANCES?
For information on REAL World Tour banned substances, please click here
WHAT HAPPENS IF I TEST POSITIVE?
First we will notify you of the positive result. You are then given a chance to defend the results that were discovered. If you choose to be retested, you must pay for all drug testing fees. At that point, depending on the results, it will be at the discretion of the REAL board to decide the next step. Drug use of any kind is not allowed in the REAL organization.
For physique competitors and REAL Beauty competitors,swimsuits, themewear and trunks (depending on your category) can be found all kinds of places! Your best bet is to go to our online community The REAL Spot (www.theREALspot.org) and start asking around in the groups or to some members. Since swimsuit types vary per category, you need to be sure that you are getting the proper suit. Always choose a suit that flatters your physique best. Be careful when choosing style, cut and color. Themewear can be ANYTHING from sportswear to occupations to tv and movie characters...whatever you can dream up! Remember, we want to see your creativity but be sure your suit doesn't constrict your movement or hide your physique at all. Props: props are not necessary and can help or hurt your score depending on if it takes away from your physique, routine or posing.
I have a tattoo. Will it effect my scoring?
Tattoos are not forbidden and only effect your scoring if they are distracting and take the judges’ focus off of your physique. If tattoos cover too much of your physique, your scoring will be effected.
REAL will always make every effort possible to provide a host hotel. We do everything in our power to ensure that the competition venue is at a hotel to eliminate extra travel for our competitors. Check the details of your particular event to be sure.
WILL MY HOTEL HAVE A REFRIGERATOR AND MICROWAVE? Please check the details of your particular event to be sure or call the host hotel. REAL makes every effort to ensure that these items are provided for our competitors.
IF I REGISTER ONLINE, DO I NEED TO COME TO REGISTRATION IN PERSON?
Yes. Although you registered online, the in-person registration is also your check-in time so you must be present
It is always best to arrive the night before registration to get yourself settled and rested.
DO I NEED TO ATTEND CAMP? HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
All new athletes to REAL and all Novice competitors must attend a camp to familiarize yourself with our organization, what we look for and our criteria. Camps also cover various topics in regards to competing and marketing yourself in the fitness industry. We also do some walking and posing to help you with your onstage presentation.
Mini camps held before events are geared toward those competing at the event. We will cover criteria and go over walking and stage presentation. We want all of our athletes to look good onstage and to put their best foot forward!
In general, camps are very beneficial for new athletes and anyone interested in learning about REAL, competition and the industry. Camps are also open to non-competitors.
REAL does hold several camps and clinics for competitors and non-competitors.
To fulfill your camp criteria as a new athlete to REAL or Novice competitor, eligible camps are Nspiration camps and Mini camps the day before an event
**REAL Deal and REAL Transformation Challenge competitors do NOT need to attend a camp
Camp cost is $50 for mini camp and $80 for full camp (for members) Non-members pay $10 more
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING WITH ME FOR THE WEEKEND?
Bring all registration forms (a link will be provided for you to download all necessary forms for registration)
Bring music (bodybuilders only). Have your name on it and if it starts on or offstage.
Bring all suits, props, heels, accessories, extra pins etc Ladies: hairspray, bikini bite, pins, makeup etc
Bring an old sheet or old clothes to wear in the hotel after you have tanned. If the sheets get stained, the hotel will charge you
Bring black shorts to wear to meet and greet (ladies: short, black boy shorts preferably. men: any). You will receive more info on the meet and greet, but be sure to pack the shorts.
FOOD!! If you are traveling in, you must either pack your food and bring it on the plane with you or, in some cities, we have arrangements with companies that provide competition-ready meals. This saves you from paying the extra baggage fee on the plane, the time of prepping the meals and the hassle of it all. It is best to utilize these services if possible.
REAL DEAL competitors bring black shorts (men - comfortable shorts that allow you to easily run through the obstacle course. Women - preferably black spandex shorts) Shirts/sports bras will be provided to you at registration. Be sure to have comfortable running shoes as well. Sun block will be necessary for the hot May sun. You might also want to bring sunglasses, a hat and towel.
YES!! We need to see your physique under the hot lights. A tanning bed tan is not enough. With that kind of tan, you will get flushed out. If we can not properly see your physique, you will get scored down. Marilyn at Liquid Sun Rayz provides an incredible service with a great product and top notch customer service. We are proud to partner with her for our events. She has created some great package deals for our competitors so be sure to get in her books as soon as you can. www.liquidsunrayz.com
**The only competitors who do not require a competition tan are Transformation Challenge, REAL Beauty Competitors and REAL DEAL (Challenge only) competitors. REAL Beauty competitors do need some sort of tan, whether a tanning bed or sun. You still do not want to get flushed out
Tickets are available online and will be available for purchase at your event as well.
Buy tickets to the 2010 REAL Lone Star Championships & Pro Showdown on May 8, 2010 in Houston
The only competitors who need music are bodybuilding competitors. No other music is needed and will not be accepted.
CAN I HAVE SOMEONE IN THE DRESSING ROOM WITH ME TO HELP?
You may have one helper with you if necessary. You must disclose to the registration staff that you need a dressing room wristband for your helper. We ask that if you do not need assistance, please leave the room clear of any excess bodies as it gets busy and hectic in the dressing areas.
DOES MY COACH, HELPER, SIGNIFICANT OTHER NEED TO PURCHASE A TICKET?
Yes. All spectators require a ticket.
Your presentation is a huge factor. We like to see your personality in what you do and the outfits you choose. Your marketability plays a big role as well. Take great care when choosing your outfits, how everything fits and compliments you as well as how you put it all together. Your hair, choice of shoes...everything plays a role.
DO YOU ALLOW YOUR COMPETITORS TO COMPETE WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS?
REAL allows its amateur (novice, open & advanced) competitors to compete with other organizations if they choose. We wish all of our athletes success in the industry. REAL pros agree to only compete on the REAL World Tour and represent REAL and its ideals to the best of their ability and be role models in the community (click here for pro criteria, standards and requirements)
I HAVE A QUESTION THAT WAS NOT ADDRESSED ON THIS LIST. WHO DO I CONTACT?
Please address any other questions to competitor_relations@REALworldtour.com